Ceiling air flow arrangement



March 19, 1963 J. R. RACHLIN CEILING AIR FLOW ARRANGEMENT Original FiledSept. 16. 1958 25 gel 21 United States Patent Ofi ice Reissued Mar. 19,1963 1 25,352 CEILING AIR FLOW ARRANGEMENT Joel R. Rachln, Brookfield,Wis., assignor to Owens- Coming Fibcrglas Corporation, a Corporation ofDelaware Original No. 2,937,589, dated May 24, 1960, Ser. No. 761,410,Sept. 16, 1958. Application for` reissue Apr. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 105,257

19 Claims. (Ci. 98-40) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets E 3 appears inthe original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification;matter printed in italic-s indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to a ceiling air flow arrangement, and moreparticularly to that type of arrangement including a sub-ceilingSuspended from a main cciling with provision therebetween for air underslight but appreciable pressure, which air is then dispersed downwardlyinto the room for heating, cooling, or ventilating, through distributionmeans having an open or perforated area which is substantially less thanthe total area of the sub-ceiling, the latter preferably, but notnecessarily, being constructed in whole or in part from acoustic tile.

'In my application Serial No. 574,-44 6, filed March 28, 1956, entit ledAir Flow Ceiling Arrangements," now Patent No. 2,859,681, dated Novemberll, 1958, I disclosed a ceiling of this type including a combinedsupport beam and air outlet member of inverted channel shape forsupporting an acoustic tile sub-ceiling and also for supporting the airdistribution panel between the tile. Whereas, it is among otherimportant objectives, a principal objective of the present invention toprovide a combined support and outlet member for supporting not only the-tile and the distribution panel but also an air duct in communicationwith the outlet member.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a means forinter-looking the outlet member with a split part of the duct forconvenience and elficiency of assenbly.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of meanscarried by the outlet member for varying the air communication from theduct.

The foregoing, and other objects and advantages, will be apparent fromthe following description, taken together with the accornpanyingdrawing, showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention and inwhich drawing- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of sub--ceiling incorporating one preferred form of the present invention;

FIGUR'E 2 is'an enlarged cross-section through the duct and outletmember;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of the structure of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a longi tudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of `EIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross-section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4looking upwardly;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view of a detail of the assembly; and

FIGURE 7 shows an alternative Construction of the duct member.

Referring in detail to the illustrative Construction shown in thedrawings, the numeral 11 indicates a ceiling beam that may be suitablysupported from the main ceiling of a room -by means not necessar-y to behere described. Suspended from the beam 11, as by wires 12, is thecombined support and air outlet member 13.

In accordance with the present invention, the member 13, details ofwhich wil l be later described supports not only the sub-ceiling tile 14and the air distribution panel 15, but also a somewhat tubular duct 16through which passes the Wire 12 and is attached to an upper fin 17 onthe outlet member 13, as a t 18, in the :form of a loop that is enteredin a hole 19 in the upper fin.

The combined support and air outlet member or bar 13 is advantageouslyformed of extruded aluminum and is of inverted channel formation, asbest seen in FIG. 2. Below its upper fin 17 is a rail-like portion 20from which extend downwardly, on each side, wall-s 21. The raillikeportion 20 is longitudinally groovcd, as at 22, the margins of whichgroove provide a downwardly opening restricted slot 23 and underly thehead 24 of a drive screw 25, the shank of which depends through the slot23 and passes threadedly through a suitable perforation 26a in avertically movable channel piece 26 having sides 26'b. Channel piece 26has limited vertical movement between the outlet member walls 21, underthe influence of the drive screw 25, to uncover more or less of the airopenings 27 in each of the Walls 21 of the outlet member. By insertionof a screw driver into a kerf 28 in the lower end of the screw 25rotation of the screw, vertical motion out which is inhibited whilerotation of the head 24 thereof in the groove 22 is permitted, raises orlowers the channel piece 26, the side wal ls 26b of which lap theopenings 27 of the outlet mem-ber. Channel piece 26 serves as a means ofair pressure control as later more particularly described.

Duet 16 is a slit along its bottom to receive outlet member 13, and thelatter has a pair of oppositely extending lateral sills 29 that supportthe duct 16. The duct may be Conveniently formed of two almostsemi-cylindri cal half sections 30, one each of which rests on a sill 29respectively. The duet is advantageously formed of fiber, such as glassfiber or the like, and, to hold the half sections 30 together, theoutlet member 13 has, just above the sills 29, a pair of laterallyextending spur vanes 32 formed integrally therewith that have serrationsor saw tooth tornations 32a on their upper and lower surfaces, as bestshown in detail in FIG. 6. The serrations act as barbs which enter inone direction into the fibrous material of the duet sections 30 and inhibit Withdrawal, thus holding the sections together and to the outletmember. The duct halves 30 may be thus tightly held together not only tothe outlet member .13 but also at their upper meeting face 33 where thewire 12 passes through, the wire being squeezed between the surfaces ofthe duet halves and the latter being held sufiiciently closely togetherto avoid any air opening therebetween. Clips 30 a having prong ends 30bare here shown for holding the duct segments 30 together, along theirmating edges 33, if further holding means be required.

At its lower end, the outlet member 13 terminates in a pair oflongitudinally eXtendin-g lateral fianges 34 that receive the tile 14thereon and on their outer lower margins have hook shape ribs 35 overwhich are snapped return bend margins 36 of the face member 37 of theair distribution panel 15. The face member 37 has the usualmulti-perforations 33 therein. In order to avoid direct downward airstreams from the distribution panel 15, the latter has an imperfora tecenter strip 39 and laterally spaced inclined areas 40 in which theperforations 38 occur, this Construction also adding to the ornamentalappearance of the sub-ceiling. It will be seen that the tile 14 restingon the fianges 34 and a-djacent the lower walls 41 of the outlet member13 are desirably substantially closer together than the full width ofthe air distribution panel 15.

In practice, air for heating, cooling, or ventilating is purnped intothe duct 16 by any sui-table means not necessary to be here described.From thence the air passes through the restrictive openings 27 in theoutlet member 13, which are 1111 communication both with the duct andwith the outlet member, and from the outlet member through theperforations 28 in the panel 1'5 downwardly into the room. For purposeswell known in :the apt, the open area, by reason of the perforations 38,in the panel 15 is desrably greater than the open area provided by theapertures 27 into the outlet member 13-, so :that the air pressurewithin the outlet member is less than the air pressure in the duct 16,to effeot a drop in pressure before the air enters the room, thereby toavoid objectionable -drafts, the air entering the room at relatively lowvelocity and well distributed.

Desired variations in pressure differental between the duet 16 and theoutlet member 13 and the rate of air flow through any portion 'of theair outlet member may be regulated by the screw adjustment meansincluding the drive screw 25 for the channel piece 26. Raising thechannel piece increases the effective areas of the openings 27 andthereby reduces the difference in pressure, while lowering the channelpiece reduces the effective area of the opening and increases thedifference in pressure. It will be understood that there may be andprefer-ably are more than one of the drive screws 25 space'd apart alongthe length of the channel piece 26, it suflicing to show one herein.

The tiles 14, where they ap proach the room wall 41, are here shownsupported by a finishing moulding 42.

As shown in FIG. 7, the duct 16 may be con-structed o f sections 100each having only a single: split and 'abu tted in end to endrelationship at longitudinally spaced interval s, as at 101, in whichcase the wires 12 pass between the sections 100. The duct, so split, isresiliently spread apart along the split portion for mou ntng inposition on the outlet member. Tape may be used to seal all joints inthe duct.

The size of the duct 16 may be varied to suit a particular installation,and there may be one or more of the assemblies shown for a given room orspace. Usually, spaoed arallel ducts are provided to properly distribute the air as it is introduced into theroorn.

The invention is .not intended to be limited to details of Constructionshown for purposes of illustration, and furthermore, it may not benecessary in all arrangements to employ all features of the inventionconjointly, since various combinations and sub-combinations may :attimes be adwantageously employed. Such changes may -be made as fallwithin the scope of the appended claims without departing from theinvention.

What is here claimed is:

1. In a forced-air distributing :system for room heating, cooling,ventilation and :the like, an elongated air distributing channel, saidchannel having side walls provided 'with spaced margin al aperturesalong the length of the upper portion thereof and defining a downwardlyfacing channel opening, means for supporting said channel :open sidedownward beneath the ceiling of a room, a reticular air distributionpanel carried along the length of said channel covering said channelopening, an -enclosed air duct extending substantially throughout thelength of said channel and mounted upon and supported by said channel,said air duct defining at least one opening therein receiving theapertured side walls of said channel and accommodating same within theinterior conjfines of said duet with said channel opening and saiddistribution panel positioned externally of and below said duct, wherobyforced air may be circulated in a closed path between said duct and saidchannel and be distributed uniformly through said distribution panel.

2. A combination air distributing and ceiling tile supportng member foruse with a forced-air distributing system comprising a hollow airdistributing channel defining in end-wise aspect a generally U-shapedperforate body, portion having spaced side walls and lateral oppositelydisposed ceiling tile supporting flanges extendin'g from the distal endsof said side Wall-S for supporting the marginal edges of adjacentceiling tiles, means for 'suspending said combination air distributingand oeiling tile supporting member in inverted U-shaped position beneaththe oeiling of a room, a perforate air distributing panel extendingbetween said side walls acnoss the open portion of said U-shaped bodyportion, and a forced-air duct of elongated tubular constrnction carriedby said air distributing channel having a wall defining an openingreceiving the non-flanged portion of said side walls therethrough andhousing same in enclosed relationship within the hollow interier of saidduct, whereby forced-air may pass in an enclosed path between said duetand said air `distributing channel and be uniformly distributed throughsaid :air distributing panel.

3. In a forced-air distributing system suitable for heating, cooling andventilation and the like, an elongated tubular air distributing memberadapted to be Suspended beneath the -ceiling of a room, said airdistributing member defining a generally U-shaped configuration inendwise aspect and comprising a hollow stern portion having perforate spaced side walls defining therebetween an open side extending lengthwisealong one end of said stern portion; la perforate air distributing panelfastened to said side walls across said open side; 'an elongated tnbularforced-air duet defining a wall opening shaped to receive said perforateside walls of said stern portion therethrough and enclose same withinthe hollow interier of said duet 'with the open side of said sternportion being disposed exteriorly of said duct, whereby forced-air maycrculate in an enclosed path between said tnbul ar air distributingmember and said tu bular duct and be uniformly distributed through saidair distributing panel.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 including hanger means torsuspending said air distributing member beneath the ceiling of a room,said hanger means being attached to said air distribu-ting member alongthe length thereof and passing radi ally through the wall of said airduct.

5. The structure defined in claim 3, wherein said forced-air duet isshaped in the form of a cylindrical conduit defining a longitudinal slitof sufiicient size throughout the length thereof to receive theperforate side wall porti-o ns of said air distributing channel into theinterior of, said duct.

6. The 'structure defined in claim 3, wherein said air distributingmember includes integral sill-s extending laterally in oppositedirections from the side walls thereof and gravitationally supportingsaid forced-air duct.

7. The structure defined in claim 3, wherein said forcedair duct isfabrioated from a fibrous material and the distributing member includesintegral spur vanes extending laterally in opposite directions from themedian portion of the side walls thereof and embedded within the Wall sdefining the wall opening in said air duct.

8. In a forced-air distributing :system for room heating, cooling,ventlation and the like, an elongated air distributing channel, mean-sfor supporting said channel beneath the ceiling of a room, said channelhaving side walls provided with spaced apetures along the marginallength remote from the distal ends thereof, a retcular air distributingpanel coveri-ng the opening formed by the distal -ends of said wall-s ofsaid channel between said side walls, -an elongated air duct carn'edlengthwise upon said air distributing channel, said air duct defining-an open Wall area therein receiving the apertured side walls of saidchannel radially through the wall of and into the interier confines ofsaid air duet, adjustable -da rnper means carried by said airdistributing channel for varying the rate of flow of forced-air betweensaid air duct and said air distributing channel, wheneby forced-air may'be circulated *between sai-d duct and said air distributing channel anddistributed through said distribution panel.

9. The structure defined in claim 8, wherein said adjustable dampermeans comprises an elongated channelshap'ed damper nested with andcarried by said air distributing channel, said damper being mounted formovement relative to the apertured side walls of said air distributingchannel, and adjustable means operatively associated with said damperfor imparting variable movements to said damper to move same betweenalternative positions opening and closing said side wall apertures tothereby regulate the flow of air passing through said side wallapertures between said air duet and said air distributing channel.

10. In a forced-air distributing system for room heating, cooling,ventilation and the like, an elongated hollow air distributing channeladapted to be supported beneath the ceiling of a room, said channelhaving apertures along the length of the upper portion thereof, and anenclosed air duet fabri-cated from a fibrous insulating materialextending along the length of said channel and mounted upon andsupported by said channel, said air duet defining at least one openingtherein receiving the apertured side walls of said channel into theinterior confines of said duet, wher-eby forced-air may be circulatedbetween said duct and said channel.

l l. The structure -defined in claim and including hanger means forsupporting the air distributing channel beneath the ceiling of a room,said hanger means being attached to said air distributing channel atintervals along the length thereof and passing radially through the wallof said duct.

12. The structure defined in claim 1-1, wherein the air duet is in theform of a cylindrical Conduit longitudinally slit throughout the lengththereof along diametrically opposite lines to form half-duet sectionsand the air distributing channel is arranged between the edges of oneslit in said duet, the hanger means passing through said duet attheother slit therein, and fastening means for holding the half-duetsections together in complementary relationship.

13. The structure defined in claim 11, Wherein the air duct comprises aseries of coaxially connected individual lengths of duct, each saidlength being in the form of a cylindrical Conduit longitudinally slitalong one side throughout the length thereof and open at said slitsufllciently to receive the air distributing channel between the edgesof said duct formed by said slit, and the han-ger means pass throughsaid air duct at the junctures of the several lengths of duct.

14. An air distributing and ceiling tile supporting channel comprisingan elongated inverted channel-like structure having apert-ures in theupper portion along the length thereof, sills extending laterally inopposite direction from the sides of said channel, spur vanes spacedabove said sills and extending laterally in opposite directions from thesides of said channel, flanges spaced beneath said sills and extendinglaterally in opposite directions from the sides of said channel, saidsills, vanes and fianges being integral with said channel.

15. In combination with air distributing and ceiling tile supportingchannel as defined in claim 14, adjustable damper means carried by saidchannel for variably opening and closing -the apertures in saidchannel-like structure.

16. A ceiling air distributing channel comprising an elongated invertedchannel-like structure definng spaced apertures along the length of theupper portion thereof, sills extending laterally in opposite directionsfrom the median portion of said structure, spur vanes spaced above saidsills and extending laterally in opposite directions from the medialportion of said structure, fianges extending laterally in oppositedirections from the bottom of said structure, said sills, vanes andfianges :being integral with said structure, in combination with anelongated tubular duet fabricated from a fibrous noise-deadeningmaterial carried by said structure upon said sills and having alengthwise slit therein receivng the upper portion of said structuretherethrough, the walls defining said slit being impaled on said spurvanes, and with ceiling tile panels gravitationally supported by theflanges on said structure.

17. A ceiling air distributing channel comprising an elongated invertedchannel-like structure having apertures in the upper portion along thelength thereof, the top of said channel having therein a grooveextending throughout the length of said channel and having a restrictedmouth opening downwardly therewithin, a channel piece having verticalside fianges extending the length of said channel therewithin atapproximately the level of the apertures therein, and screws havingheads retained within said groove and depending therefrom at spacedintervals throughout the length of said channel, said screws beingrotatably supported but held against axial movement and threadedlypassing through said channel piece to support the same and to providemeans for adjustrnent of the level of said channel piece within saidchannel structure to vary the effective openings of said apertures.

18. In a forced-air distributing system for room heating, cooling,ventilating and the like, an elongated hollow air distributing memberextending un'nterraptedly across and spaced beneath the main eeil'ng ofa room, said member definng an open ar passageway therethroughcontinuously along the length thereo, an enelosed air duet extendingbenea'h said main ceiling and along the entire length of and above saidmember, the wall of said air duet defining a longitudinally extendingelongated opening thereinto from end to end, flange means on said memberfor coupling with said air duet with the opening into said air dueteommunicating with the open air passageway in said member throughout thelengths thereof, means for supporting said member and said duel inposition beneath said main ceiling and means on said member forsupporting adjaoent elements of a sub-celng whereby air may be passedbetween said dact and said room beneah said sub-ceiling through saidmember.

19. In a forced-air distributing system for room heating, cooling,ventilating and the like, an elongated hollow air distributng memberexte'nding uninterruptedly across and spacea' beneath the main c-eil'ngof a room, said member defining an open, vertical air passagewayrherethrough continuously along the length thereof, an enclosed airduc't extending beneath said main ce'ling and along and above the entirelength of and in mating relat'onship with said member, said air dacthaving a continuous opening formed therein and extending from end to endthereof, the portions of said duet which define such opening embracngthe upper end of the open air passageway in said member, and saidcontinuous opening of said duet being in air communication with the openair passageway of said member throughout their lengths, means forsupporting said member spaced from and beneath said main ceilrg, meanson said member for supporting said duet above said member and means onopposite sides of the lower portion of said member for supporting theedges of adjacent elements of a sub-ceilng, whereby air may be passedbetween said duet and said room beneath said sb-ceiling through saidmember along the entire length thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent of the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,550,714 Stacey Aug. 25, 1925 2,172,771 NorrisSept. 12, 1939 2,221,001 Lucius Nov. 12, 1940 2,564,334 Kennedy Aug. 14,1951 2,568,044 Wallen Sept. 18, 1951 2,833,199 Wakefield May 6, 19582,845,854 -Kurek Aug. 5, 1958 2,960,602 Kurth Nov. 15, 1960

